Symantec to launch Genesis

Symantec's latest security product is almost ready.

What do anti-virus vendors do when software giants like Microsoft plan to incorporate comprehensive security features in the operating system itself "" in this case Windows Vista?

Symantec, for one, plans to respond by announcing a new security product (code-named Genesis) for the Asia-Pacific region, including India.

To be announced in a few days, the product is expected to be Symantec's answer to Microsoft's Windows OneCare and Vista security technology. Symantec officials in India have refused comment so far.

Symantec already has the Norton Internet Security and SystemWorks. Genesis is expected to draw on the technologies from its other products and give them an integrated interface. It is not fully clear whether the product will not include antispam capability in the first version too.

There's a probability that this will be incorporated in its upgrades. The service is slated to arrive by end September. It is expected to offer protection against viruses, spam, spyware and phishing scams, and stop hacker attacks with intrusion prevention technologies and a firewall. It will include offline and online backup features, as well as PC optimisation and maintenance tools.

The anti-virus major is reportedly in talks with PC makers to ship the software on new machines, and the product might replace Norton Internet Security on those systems. Norton Internet Security is bundled today by Hewlett-Packard, Dell and others. Genesis is expected to be available online as a subscription-based product and in stores.

Meanwhile, Microsoft's OneCare security service is in its beta stage. Like Genesis, it includes antivirus and anti-spyware technology as well as a firewall and PC optimisation and backup tools. As for phishing, Microsoft has already said it will include phishing protection in Internet Explorer 7. The browser is part of the upcoming Windows Vista update.

Windows OneCare updates itself automatically to counter new viruses and other threats, and also works with Microsoft Update to ensure that your computer is up-to-date with the latest critical security updates. Other security vendors, such as McAfee and Trend Micro, are taking the cue and are expected to respond to Microsoft's entry with their own souped-up products.